Article
Biology
Felix Christopher Nebeling, Stefanie Poll, Lena Christine Justus, Julia Steffen, Kevin Keppler, Manuel Mittag, Martin Fuhrmann, Laura L. Colgin
Summary: Microglia play a crucial role in sensing neuronal activity and actively participate in the stability and rewiring of hippocampal synapses. This study reveals the mechanisms underlying microglial motility and their interaction with dendritic spines, highlighting their significance for hippocampal learning and memory processes.
Article
Neurosciences
Isabel Baron-Mendoza, Emely Maqueda-Martinez, Monica Martinez-Marcial, Marisol De la Fuente-granada, Margarita Gomez-Chavarin, Aliesha Gonzalez-Arenas
Summary: This study evaluated dendritic spine differences in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the ASD animal model C58/J, finding changes in spine number and morphology in a brain region-dependent manner. Additionally, genetic analysis suggested a likely association between genes involved in regulating structural plasticity and ASD, supporting a relationship between the C58/J strain genome, autistic-like behavior, and observed dendritic spine anomalies.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liping Xu, Yue Liu, Jingyi Long, Xiulan He, Fanbing Xie, Qiao Yin, Michael Chen, Dahong Long, Yuncai Chen
Summary: Adverse experiences in early life can lead to deficits in cognitive functions in later life by shaping neuronal structures and synaptic function in multiple brain regions. This study focuses on the impact of early-life adversity (ELA) on the dendritic spines of pyramidal cells in the prelimbic cortex (PrL), revealing enduring detrimental effects of ELA on the PrL dendritic spines. ELA mice show a selective loss of spines in specific dendritic segments of PrL pyramidal cells, which contributes to the poor spatial working memory observed in these mice.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Marisela Hernandez-Gonzalez, Francisco Javier Barrera-Cobos, Enrique Hernandez-Arteaga, Ignacio Gonzalez-Burgos, Mario Flores-Soto, Miguel Angel Guevara, Pedro Manuel Cortes
Summary: Sexual experience improves copulatory performance in male rats by promoting changes in the density of dendritic spines in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Specifically, sexually experienced rats exhibited higher total dendritic density and increased numerical density of certain types of dendritic spines in the mPFC and NAcc. Furthermore, there was a shift in the proportional density of different types of dendritic spines towards a higher proportion of mushroom spines. These findings suggest that sexual experience can lead to consolidation of synaptic information in the brain regions involved in sexual behavior.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Aaron K. Jenkins, David A. Lewis, David W. Volk
Summary: Cognitive disturbances in schizophrenia may be caused by excessive immune response leading to the phagocytosis of dendritic spines by microglia. This study found increased levels of C4 and microglia-specific markers in schizophrenia patients, suggesting the involvement of immune processes in the development of schizophrenia.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
E. Aloni, S. Verbitsky, L. Kushnireva, E. Korkotian, M. Segal
Summary: Research indicates that Synaptopodin (SP) plays a key role in the spine apparatus of central excitatory neurons and the axon initial segment. Lack of SP in SPKO mice results in cognitive deficiencies, increased excitability in hippocampal cells, and higher expression of arc staining.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shu-jian Chen, Cong-cong Gao, Qun-yu Lv, Meng-qi Zhao, Xiao-ying Qin, Hong Liao
Summary: Knocking down sortilin in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus can alleviate depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress, mainly by decreasing ASM trafficking of ceramide.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Sancho-Balsells, Sara Borras-Pernas, Veronica Brito, Jordi Alberch, Jean-Antoine Girault, Albert Giralt
Summary: Chronic stress can lead to neurological disorders, such as major depression, and affects the hippocampus, leading to functional changes. The transcription factor Egr1 plays a role in hippocampal function but its involvement in stress-induced effects is not well understood. This study used mice and found that stress protocols induced activation or deactivation of hippocampal CA1 neural ensembles, along with dendritic spine pathology, in an Egr1-dependent manner. Manipulating superficial pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus resulted in the amelioration of depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairments caused by chronic stress.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Kristen Whitney, Elena Nikulina, Syed N. Rahman, Alisia Alexis, Peter J. Bergold
Summary: The combination of MINO plus NAC initiated 72 h after injury improves multiple injury parameters in a mouse TBI model, including cognitive deficits, neuronal loss, and structural damage, indicating the potential for successful treatment even with delayed therapy onset.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dusica Maysinger, Issan Zhang, Pei You Wu, Marten Kagelmacher, Haiming Daniel Luo, Jayachandran N. Kizhakkedathu, Jens Dernedde, Matthias Ballauf, Rainer Haag, Adeola Shobo, Gerhard Multhaup, R. Anne McKinney
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction between polyglycerols with sulfate or sialic acid functional groups and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). The study aimed to determine if polyglycerols could prevent the loss of morphological plasticity in excitatory neurons in the hippocampus. The results suggest that dendritic and linear polyglycerols can interact with HMGB1 and prevent dendritic spine loss in excitatory neurons.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Dorien Vandael, Keimpe Wierda, Katlijn Vints, Pieter Baatsen, Lies De Groef, Lieve Moons, Vasily Rybakin, Natalia Gounko
Summary: CRF plays a central role in regulating physiological responses to stress by rapidly enhancing synaptic communication in the hippocampus. This process involves changes in both functional and structural aspects of synapses, leading to improvements in synaptic strength and plasticity, which may contribute to enhanced memory consolidation under acute stress.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Mario Flores-Soto, Christian Romero-Guerrero, Nallely Vazquez-Hernandez, Aldo Tejeda-Martinez, Fabiola L. Martin-Amaya-Barajas, Sandra Orozco-Suarez, Ignacio Gonzalez-Burgos
Summary: In this study, a single dose of PTZ in rats led to generalized seizures and increased levels of Synaptophysin and Glutaminase, indicating exacerbated presynaptic glutamate release and eventual neuronal death. The changes observed may be linked to synaptic over-excitation and could be responsible for cognitive decline in patients with epilepsy.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Valeria Ramaglia, Mohit Dubey, M. Alfonso Malpede, Naomi Petersen, Sharon de Vries, Shanzeh M. Ahmed, Dennis S. W. Lee, Geert J. Schenk, Stefan M. Gold, Inge Huitinga, Jennifer L. Gommerman, Jeroen J. G. Geurts, Maarten H. P. Kole
Summary: The complement system is involved in synapse loss in the hippocampus of patients with multiple sclerosis, particularly in the CA2 subfield. This loss is associated with cognitive impairment, and in a mouse model of demyelination, C1q deposits were found in the CA2 pyramidal layer along with inhibitory synapses engulfed by microglia/macrophages, leading to impaired feedforward inhibition and memory deficits.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Taohui Liu, Ju Lu, Kacper Lukasiewicz, Bingxing Pan, Yi Zuo
Summary: Stress-induced changes in glial-synapse interaction in the dmPFC lead to synaptic loss, affecting neuronal circuit function and cognitive flexibility.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF STRESS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Guadalupe Herrera, M. Jazmin Silvero, M. Cecilia Becerra, Mercedes Lasaga, Teresa Scimonelli
Summary: Consuming a high-fat diet can lead to cognitive deficits and neurodegenerative diseases. This study found that short-term high-fat diet intake combined with a mild immune challenge can impair hippocampal-dependent functions related to learning and memory. The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) can reverse these effects and have a protective role.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Mustafa S. Kassem, Bernard W. Balleine
Summary: This study investigates the dendrites of neuronal cells and the synaptic spines associated with them, highlighting the possibility of inaccurate counting due to the use of certain imaging technologies. By developing a mathematical model, the researchers propose a more unbiased estimation method for quantifying the number of spines on dendrites. Using this new method, the study reveals that previous studies may have been biased in their morphological analysis. The researchers have created a user-friendly website where researchers can input data to obtain more accurate estimates of spine counts. This method improves the validity of spine measurement and allows for a reevaluation of previously published work.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE METHODS
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Llewellyn Mills, Nicholas Lintzeris, Michael O'Malley, Jonathon C. Arnold, Iain S. McGregor
Summary: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of cannabis use disorder (CUD) in people who use cannabis for medical reasons. The results showed that the prevalence of CUD in medical cannabis users is comparable to 'recreational' users, with many similar correlates. The strongest correlates with CUD were the inhaled route of administration, frequency of cannabis use, proportion of cannabis for medical reasons, frequency of tobacco use, age, and main clinical indication being mental health issues.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Somayeh Mirlohi, Chris Bladen, Marina J. Santiago, Jonathon C. Arnold, Iain McGregor, Mark Connor
Summary: This study investigates the modulation of T-type calcium channels by low abundance phytocannabinoids. It found that these phytocannabinoids can regulate neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release by modulating T-type calcium channels, and that these channels may be an important site of action for phytocannabinoids.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maia G. Etchart, Lyndsey L. Anderson, Adam Ametovski, Peter M. Jones, Anthony M. George, Samuel D. Banister, Jonathon C. Arnold
Summary: This study examined the effects of cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) on ABCB1 and ABCG2 transporters. The results showed that CBCA is a substrate of ABCB1, while CBC is neither a substrate nor an inhibitor of ABCB1 or ABCG2. These findings are important for the therapeutic development of these cannabis constituents.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lyndsey L. Anderson, Jonathon C. Arnold, Iain S. McGregor, Tamara R. Nation
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jonathon C. Arnold, Danielle McCartney, Anastasia Suraev, Iain S. McGregor
Summary: Global interest in CBD is increasing, with clinical trial evidence supporting high doses for treating childhood epilepsies. However, the therapeutic benefits of low-dose CBD products are still being debated. This review evaluated the efficacy and safety of low oral doses of CBD and found that doses of 300 mg or higher showed evidence of reducing anxiety and anti-addiction effects, but the effects on insomnia, neurological disorders, and chronic pain were limited and inconsistent.
CTS-CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Danielle McCartney, Richard C. Kevin, Anastasia S. Suraev, Ayshe Sahinovic, Peter T. Doohan, Miguel A. Bedoya-Perez, Ronald R. Grunstein, Camilla M. Hoyos, Iain S. McGregor
Summary: An increasing number of clinical trials are investigating the therapeutic potential of CBD, a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid found in cannabis. These trials often use crossover experimental designs and require washout periods. The study found that CBD has a long window of detection in plasma, indicating caution should be exercised when conducting crossover studies involving CBD.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zeeta Bawa, Bandana Saini, Danielle McCartney, Miguel Bedoya-Perez, Andrew J. McLachlan, Iain S. McGregor
Summary: This study examined Australian pharmacists' experience, knowledge, and attitudes towards medicinal cannabis and low-dose cannabidiol products supplied without a prescription. The results showed that pharmacists supported improved access to cannabis products but highlighted the need for better training and education in this area.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elizabeth A. A. Cairns, Melissa J. J. Benson, Miguel A. A. Bedoya-Perez, Sara L. L. Macphail, Adith Mohan, Rhys Cohen, Perminder S. S. Sachdev, Iain S. S. McGregor
Summary: There is increasing evidence that components of the Cannabis sativa plant may have therapeutic potential in treating psychiatric disorders. In Australia, medicinal cannabis products are legally available for prescription through the SAS-B. This study investigated recent prescribing practices for psychiatric indications under SAS-B and found that the majority of approvals were for anxiety disorders, sleep-wake disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders, with oil products being the most prescribed.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Miguel A. Bedoya-Perez, Mark E. Westman, Max Loomes, Nga Yee Natalie Chung, Benjamin Knobel, Michael P. Ward
Summary: Leptospirosis is an emerging disease in Sydney, Australia, affecting both humans and dogs, and the role of rats as reservoirs of infection is still unknown. In this study, rats were collected from the City of Sydney Council area and tested for pathogenic Leptospira DNA. The results showed that 8.1% of the rats had Leptospira DNA in their kidneys. However, further testing and investigation into other wildlife reservoirs and environmental sources of leptospires are needed.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Mark M. Schira, Zoey J. Isherwood, Mustafa S. Kassem, Markus Barth, Thomas B. Shaw, Michelle M. Roberts, George Paxinos
Summary: We introduce the HumanBrainAtlas, which aims to create a highly detailed and open-access atlas of the living human brain by combining high-resolution in vivo MR imaging with detailed segmentations previously only available in histological preparations. We have presented and evaluated the first step of this initiative, which includes a comprehensive dataset of two healthy male volunteers reconstructed to a 0.25 mm isotropic resolution for T1w, T2w, and DWI contrasts. The dataset is virtually distortion-free, fully 3D, and compatible with existing in vivo Neuroimaging analysis tools.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dilara Bahceci, Lyndsey L. L. Anderson, Richard C. C. Kevin, Peter T. T. Doohan, Jonathon C. C. Arnold
Summary: This study investigated the changes of endocannabinoids and related lipid signaling molecules during seizure activity. The results showed that a hyperthermia-induced seizure increased the concentration of certain monoacylglycerols in the hippocampus of Dravet syndrome mouse model, providing new clues for the development of future therapeutic approaches.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Cilla Zhou, Neda Assareh, Jonathon C. Arnold
Summary: CBG was found to have no effect on long-term fear memories, various conditioned fear memory processes, or stress-induced anxiety-related behavior in mice, suggesting limited potential in the treatment of PTSD and stress-related anxiety.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lyndsey L. Anderson, Maia G. Etchart, Laura MacNair, M. Hunter Land, Irina A. Mosesova, Marcel O. Bonn-Miller, Jonathon C. Arnold
Summary: The legalization of medicinal cannabis has led to increased use of commercial cannabis-based products, which can potentially interact with other drugs. This study evaluated the inhibitory potential of three commercially available cannabis-based products on human transporters and found that some of these products can inhibit transporter function.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Melissa J. Benson, Lyndsey L. Anderson, Ivan K. Low, Jia Lin Luo, Richard C. Kevin, Cilla Zhou, Iain S. McGregor, Jonathon C. Arnold
Summary: Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Delta(9)-THCA) has variable anticonvulsant effects depending on the seizure model used and the presence of Delta(9)-THC. Its unstable nature poses challenges for further drug development. Future studies should focus on understanding the mechanisms by which combined Delta(9)-THCA and Delta(9)-THC alter seizure thresholds.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2022)
Letter
Immunology
Wan-Ju Cheng, Hong-Mo Shih, Kuan-Pin Su, Po-Ren Hsueh
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Felipe Kenji Sudo, Talita P. Pinto, Fernanda G. Q. Barros-Aragao, Ivanei Bramati, Theo F. Marins, Marina Monteiro, Fernanda Meireles, Rejane Soares, Pilar Erthal, Victor Calil, Naima Assuncao, Natalia Oliveira, Joana Bondarovsky, Camila Lima, Beatriz Chagas, Alana Batista, Julia Lins, Thais L. Pinheiro, Felippe Mendonca, Andrea Silveira de Souza, Fernanda C. Rodrigues, Gabriel R. de Freitas, Pedro Kurtz, Paulo Mattos, Erika C. Rodrigues, Fernanda G. De Felice, Fernanda Tovar-Moll
Summary: Post-COVID-19 Condition (PCC) is a multisystemic syndrome that persists for months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, affecting cognitive function and neuropsychiatric features. A study on COVID-19 survivors in Brazil found that these patients experienced significant difficulties in overall cognition, memory, working memory, and inhibitory control, as well as fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. In addition, elevated levels of inflammatory markers in the blood were associated with brain microstructural damage and cognitive impairments.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Letter
Immunology
Tieh-Cheng Fu, Juei-Chao Chen, Ching-Mao Chang
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Aastha Dheer, Dale B. Bosco, Jiaying Zheng, Lingxiao Wang, Shunyi Zhao, Koichiro Haruwaka, Min-Hee Yi, Abhijeet Barath, Dai-Shi Tian, Long-Jun Wu
Summary: Microglial activation plays a crucial role in the pathology of epilepsy, with both acute and prolonged activation affecting seizure severity and neuronal loss.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Julie B. Rosenberg, Jens Richardt Mollegaard Jepsen, Parisa Mohammadzadeh, Astrid Sevelsted, Rebecca Vinding, Mikkel E. Sorensen, David Horner, Kristina Aagaard, Birgitte Fagerlund, Susanne Brix, Nilofar Folsgaard, Ann -Marie M. Schoos, Jakob Stokholm, Bo Chawes, Christos Pantelis, Soren Dalsgaard, Birte Y. Glenthoj, Niels Bilenberg, Klaus Bonnelykke, Bjorn H. Ebdrup
Summary: Clinical data demonstrates a strong association between prenatal maternal inflammation assessed by hs-CRP and a diagnosis of ADHD by age 10. Maternal inflammation is also associated with ADHD symptom load in the entire cohort.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Suzanne M. Green-Fulgham, Michael J. Lacagnina, Kendal F. Willcox, Jiahe Li, Michael E. Harland, Adriano Polican Ciena, Igor R. Correia Rocha, Jayson B. Ball, Renee A. Dreher, Younus A. Zuberi, Joseph M. Dragavon, Marucia Chacur, Steven F. Maier, Linda R. Watkins, Peter M. Grace
Summary: Regular aerobic activity, specifically voluntary wheel running, can reduce the risk of chronic pain by inhibiting MAC and preserving myelin integrity at the site of peripheral nerve injury.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
India Boyton, Stella M. Valenzuela, Lyndsey E. Collins-Praino, Andrew Care
Summary: Neuronanomedicine is a multidisciplinary field that aims to develop innovative nanotechnologies for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Nanoparticles are an important component of neuronanomedicine, as they can improve drug properties and enhance safety and delivery across the blood-brain barrier. However, a major challenge for neuronanomedicine translation is the poor understanding of bio-nano interactions, partly due to inconsistent reporting in published works. This review provides specific recommendations to guide researchers in harnessing the unique properties of nanoparticles for breakthrough treatments of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Celine De Looze, Cathal McCrory, Aisling O'Halloran, Silvia Polidoro, Rose Anne Kenny, Joanne Feeney
Summary: Our study found that subjective measures of stress and biological metrics may be independently associated with cognitive function over time in older adults, hinting at potential different underlying mechanisms.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Beatrice Bravi, Elisa Maria Teresa Melloni, Marco Paolini, Mariagrazia Palladini, Federico Calesella, Laura Servidio, Elena Agnoletto, Sara Poletti, Cristina Lorenzi, Cristina Colombo, Francesco Benedetti
Summary: Depressed patients show changes in immune-inflammatory markers in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The Choroid Plexus, located at the base of the brain ventricles, plays a key role in regulating the exchange of substances between the brain and immune cells. Patients with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder have larger Choroid Plexus volumes compared to healthy controls. Age and levels of circulating cytokines are associated with Choroid Plexus volumes in the clinical groups.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Mingxuan Zheng, Huaiyu Ye, Xiaoying Yang, Lijun Shen, Xuemei Dang, Xiaoli Liu, Yuying Gong, Qingyuan Wu, Li Wang, Xing Ge, Xiaoli Fang, Benchi Hou, Peng Zhang, Renxian Tang, Kuiyang Zheng, Xu-Feng Huang, Yinghua Yu
Summary: Obesity is linked to cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative disease. The connection between the gut microbiota and the brain is altered in obesity. The probiotic Clostridium butyricum can improve cognitive impairment caused by obesity and prevent gut microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Edward Drydale, Phalguni Rath, Katie Holden, Gregory Holt, Laurissa Havins, Thomas Johnson, James Bancroft, Lahiru Handunnetthi
Summary: This study created a novel three-dimensional neurosphere assay using induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation and live cell imaging techniques to investigate the effect of a simulated viral infection on cortical development. The findings demonstrated that the infection led to reduced radial glial growth and neural migration.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Yuancheng Weng, Ningting Chen, Rui Zhang, Jian He, Xukai Ding, Guo Cheng, Qianqian Bi, Ying-mei Lu, Xiao Z. Shen, Shu Wan, Peng Shi
Summary: This study reveals that microglia is the primary cellular source of PDGFB in adults, and microglial PDGFB is crucial for maintaining BBB integrity in adult mice.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Evan A. Bordt, Haley A. Moya, Young Chan Jo, Caitlin T. Ravichandran, Izabella M. Bankowski, Alexis M. Ceasrine, Christopher J. Mcdougle, William A. Carlezon Jr, Staci D. Bilbo
Summary: There is a strong male bias in many neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, but the mechanisms behind this bias are unknown. Infection during the perinatal period increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Using a mouse model, researchers found that early-life immune activation only induced deficits in social behaviors in male mice. These behavioral changes were associated with alterations in microglial immune signaling, mitochondrial morphology, gene expression, and function specifically in microglia, the brain's innate immune cells. Furthermore, the vulnerability to early-life immune activation and its effects on behavior and microglial mitochondria were programmed by the male-typical perinatal gonadal hormone surge. These findings highlight the role of microglia-specific mechanisms shaped by early developmental events in regulating male social behavior throughout lifespan.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Maria Amalia Di Castro, Stefano Garofalo, Alessandro Mormino, Laura Carbonari, Erika Di Pietro, Eleonora De Felice, Myriam Catalano, Laura Maggi, Cristina Limatola
Summary: Cytokines, such as interleukin-15 (IL-15), play important roles in modulating the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, the authors found that exposure to IL-15 enhances GABA release and reduces glutamatergic currents in hippocampal slices. Chronic treatment with IL-15 has negative effects on memory formation. Serotonin is involved in mediating these effects, as a selective 5-HT3A receptor antagonist prevents the effects on inhibitory neurotransmission and improves performance in a memory test.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Nikhitha Sreenivas, Michael Maes, Hansashree Padmanabha, Apoorva Dharmendra, Priyanka Chakkera, Saptamita Paul Choudhury, Fazal Abdul, Thrinath Mullapudi, Vykuntaraju K. Gowda, Michael Berk, John Vijay Sagar Kommu, Monojit Debnath
Summary: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a spectrum of conditions with both common and differing characteristics in terms of phenome, symptomatome, neuropathology, risk factors and underlying mechanisms. This study investigates the possibility of a shared immune etiology among three early-onset NDDs, namely Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Intellectual Disability Disorder (IDD).
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)